The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) headed by Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi, has reported that according to its Secretary-General, the organization has opened branch offices in various countries including Egypt, Turkey and Indonesia as well as having participated in meetings in Lebanon and India to discuss the situation with Muslims in those countries. The report also said that Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood leader and IUMS board member Rachid Ghannouchi has been put in charge by the IUMS of negotiating with the Tunisian government over the rennovation of the Zaytuna University, an ancient Islamic facility in the country. It was also said that sources in the Gulf pledged to give the university $ 17 million a year.The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was launched on July 11, 2004 in conjunction with a visit by Youssef Qaradawi to London for a meeting of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. The IUMS board of directors is comprised of many leaders of the global Brotherhood.

Qaradawi, a virulent anti-Semite is often referred to here as the most important leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, an acknowledgement of his role as the de facto spiritual leader of the movement. In 2004, Qaradawi turned down the offer to lead the Egyptian Brotherhood after the death of the Supreme Guide. Based in Qatar, Sheikh Qaradawi has reportedly amassed substantial wealth through his role as Shari’ah adviser to many important Islamic banks and funds. He is also considered to be the “spiritual guide” for Hamas and his fatwas in support of suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were instrumental in the development of the phenomenon. A recent post has discussed a video compilation of Qaradawi’s extremist statements.

Qaradawi recently reiterated his support for suicide bombing in Israel and expressed his desire to die as a martyr “at the hands of a non-Muslim.”